Hard Working, but comfortable win for Bath Men
Bath Men v Oxford University
12 October 2024
SEMLA D2
Final Score Bath 10:4 Oxford
Odd Down, Bath
After a long, slightly disappointing away trip the week before Bath were looking to make amends at home and send a message to the rest of the league.
The squad on display looked more balanced with a reasonable midfield of backed up by a solid defence and mainly Left-handed attack, always a conundrum for defences
Oxford struggled to get numbers on the road and were down to only 10 players, putting them in a position on the road Bath know only too well.
The game was decided at the face off; MVP Sam Kettle controlled this area skilfully, winning a high percentage and using his midfield support well. Oxford recognised this threat and tried to gain some traction as the game wore on, using a long pole at face, Kettle coped well throughout.
In attack Bath controlled the tempo and maintained a good shape, it quickly became apparent that a partnership was developing between Lovett, coming from back right and Dexter, a nippy face doge often opening the slide and resulting dump.
Despite this dominance of possession it took a daisy cutter from Wang to open the score for Bath. However, Oxford do not lack speed in transition, particularly early on with fresh legs, and replied with a quick fast break goal. In fact, throughout the game Tilson in goal needed to be alert as Oxford, once up the field posed a genuine threat to goal.
An individual effort from Butler closed the quarter with a 2:1 score line, not reflective of the amount of ball bath enjoyed.
The next period saw Bath move the ball well, using the numerical advantage and making Oxford work for the ball. No two Bath goals were the same; Dexter – Face dodge; George – long cut and feed; Wang – ground ball recovery, bursting through the whole Oxford Defence; Lovett – feed to crease. Again, Oxford got onto the scoresheet, through a neatly worked fast break.
Bath went into the third period with some confidence, hardworking Captain Mike Carey got reward from a reverse roll dodge up front, and Joel Matthews finished a long run up the field with a good shot. Goal of the quarter goes to Luke Wilmot, managing to prod the goal over the line after the ball seemed to bounce of every boot in the defence. Oxford scored from another fast transition goal, something Bath need to watch for in future games.
The last quarter saw the home team make several attempts at goal, hitting both pipes before Kai Wang got onto the scoreboard for the third time with another good outside, low shot. Yet again Oxford persisted and will take some consolation that they scored in every quarter, drawing the 4th 1:1.
This was a composed performance from Bath, and the squad on display, with a couple of additions not available on the day, could be a genuine contender, at least top half of the division.
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Quarter scores
1st quarter Bath 2:1 Oxford
Wang, Butler
2nd quarter Bath 4:1 Oxford
Dexter, Wang, George, Lovett
3rd quarter Bath 3:1 Oxford
Carey, Matthews, Wilmot
4th quarter Bath 1:1 Oxford
Wang
Final Score Bath 10:4 Oxford
Scorers: Goals (Assists)
Kai Wang 3
Lloyd Butler 1
Tom Dexter 1 (2)
Alex George 1
Mark Lovett 1 (1)
Mike Carey 1 (1)
Joel Matthews 1 (2)
Luke Wilmot 1
Referees
Nik Roberts
Izzy Sankey